as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
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Recent Examples of figuring out
Knowing the basic forms is the first step to figuring out where adaptogens fit into your day.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
What’s the process like now for figuring out when to launch a new edition like The Real Housewives of Rhode Island and then where to locate it?
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 7 May 2026
One of the first steps in Parker figuring out his own way, of course, was dropping out of Berklee to avoid becoming a teacher.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
The podcast will see the married couple exploring the realities of navigating major life changes, from relationships under pressure, shifting identities, family dynamics and figuring out the future when life looks different from the past.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The tricky part for the Huskies is figuring out who is coming back, and what needs will be left to address.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, a CHA official said figuring out a funding formula involving historic tax credits had gummed up the next steps.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
As usual, my librarian brain is busy digging into the meat of this, basically figuring out the question-under-the-question of your message.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
In a world full of influencers and trending aesthetics, figuring out your personal style has become both easier and overwhelming.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
What’s the process like now for figuring out when to launch a new edition like The Real Housewives of Rhode Island and then where to locate it?
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 7 May 2026
One of the first steps in Parker figuring out his own way, of course, was dropping out of Berklee to avoid becoming a teacher.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
The podcast will see the married couple exploring the realities of navigating major life changes, from relationships under pressure, shifting identities, family dynamics and figuring out the future when life looks different from the past.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The tricky part for the Huskies is figuring out who is coming back, and what needs will be left to address.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, a CHA official said figuring out a funding formula involving historic tax credits had gummed up the next steps.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
As usual, my librarian brain is busy digging into the meat of this, basically figuring out the question-under-the-question of your message.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
In a world full of influencers and trending aesthetics, figuring out your personal style has become both easier and overwhelming.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Chinese researchers have developed a lithium-sulfur battery design that could significantly extend drone flight times by solving one of the technology’s biggest long-standing problems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
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But there is no universally applicable method for solving these differential equations.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Meta is firing back at a January lawsuit that alleged WhatsApp never supported end-to-end encryption, arguing the plaintiff’s claims are unraveling.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2026
-
Olivia Rodrigo has unveiled her unraveling.—
Andrea Dresdale,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The filmmaker crafted something that provides a narrative without answering everything for us.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
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In honor of May being ALS Awareness Month, the content creator, 37, has continued her annual tradition of answering viewers' questions about her amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which she was diagnosed with in 2022.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The Cubs on Friday activated Ethan Roberts, who suffered a freak injury to his right middle finger while working out in mid-April, and sent Gavin Hollowell down to Triple-A Iowa.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Simpson spent the last few weeks working out in Tennessee.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In reality, patients are absorbing risks that serve corporate interests rather than resolving genuine uncertainty about the therapeutic potential of a drug.—
Sukhun Kang,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
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If the team stays bought in and the coach shows an early aptitude for resolving conflicts, change can be a good thing.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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